The group’s lifetime achievement award recognizes teaching, mentoring and advising. The award was presented during the SIOP meeting April 11-13 in Houston.

“The award is based on my 30 years of service to the WKU I-O Psychology Graduate Program and the success of my graduate students in the workforce,” Dr. Shoenfelt said. “This is a huge honor for me and I am very pleased to receive the award.”

Contact: Betsy Shoenfelt, (270) 745-4418.

Geoscience: Graduate student awarded a Cave Research Foundation Grant

Dan Nedvidek sets up research equipment in a Bowling Green cave.

Dan Nedvidek, a geoscience graduate student from Danville, has been awarded a $1,500 research grant from the nationally-renowned Cave Research Foundation for his thesis project titled “Evaluating the Effectiveness of Regulatory Stormwater Sampling Protocols on Groundwater Quality in Urbanized Karst Regions.”

CRF Graduate Research Grants are given to qualified students who are conducting research in cave and karst studies. This includes, but is not limited to, natural sciences (e.g., cave biology, geology, paleontology, and hydrology) or social sciences (e.g., archaeology, education). Nedvidek is working with Hoffman Institute faculty member Dr. Jason Polk on a examining the effectiveness of injection wells and stormwater monitoring plans under federal, state and local policies for managing water resources in urbanized karst areas, where sinkholes and caves are often impacted through their use as natural landscape drainage features. The team is partnering with the City of Bowling Green to conduct this research, as the city provides an excellent case study location, and is at the forefront of dealing with this important environmental issue.

Nedvidek has been awarded $8,000 total in research grants to date. The Department of Geography and Geology encourages all its graduate students to seek out research support from a variety of professional, business, and academic sources, as the cost of conducting research internationally can be quite high.

Contact: Jason Polk, (270) 745-5015.

Geography & Geology: Faculty member honored by NSCS

Dr. Leslie North

Dr. Leslie North, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Geology, was honored recently as a Distinguished Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) for her scholarship, leadership and service to the organization. Dr. North, who has been a national member since 2002, serves as the Faculty Advisor for the WKU chapter, a duty she shares with Michelle Hollis.

“I am honored to be awarded this recognition for my participation in NSCS, and feel as though I have been repeatedly rewarded by once-in-a-lifetime opportunities the organization has afforded me,” Dr. North said. “I am thankful to play an active role in helping WKU students have the same valuable and memorable opportunities.”

The NSCS is an honor society that invites high-achieving freshman and sophomores having a GPA of 3.4 or above and ranking in the top 20 percent of their class. Students who join the NSCS are offered opportunities for growth, leadership training, and resources, including nearly half a million dollars in scholarships. Nationwide, there are more than 800,000 members and more than 300 chapters across every state.

Dr. David Keeling, Geography and Geology Department Head, said: “Dr. North brings to WKU a passion for geography and for her students’ success that is inspirational. Her leadership and service to NSCS are reflective of her broader contributions to the department, university, and discipline of geography. WKU is indeed fortunate to have leaders and scholars like Dr. North who nurture our students and help to create opportunities for personal growth and advancement.”

Contact: Leslie North, (270) 745-4555.

Interior Design: Student wins award in design competition

WKU senior Jade Boyle of Glasgow was honored for her store fixture design in the PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge.

Boyle’s work is on display this week at the GlobalShop trade show in Chicago. As part of the Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) event, Boyle competed against students from the United States, India, United Kingdom and France.

The PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge, now in its fourth year, offers students a chance to see their designs come to life, gain exposure at a major industry trade show, and win cash awards. PAVE received 209 entries from 12 countries last fall.